Post by mhbruin on Aug 9, 2021 8:45:50 GMT -8
Last season, Villanova went 18-7, winning the Big East. They had wins over Arizona State and Texas in the OOC schedule.
They made the NCAA tournament as a #5 seed and beat a #12 and a #13 before losing to Baylor by 10 points.
Kenpom ranked then #12 and #6 in offense, and #66 in defense. By contrast UCLA was ranked #13, #11, #46.
Most predictions see them as one of the top 10 teams in the country next year, with a shot at winning it all. Here is what one writer says:
"When Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels both decided to return for a fifth season, it immediately made Villanova one of a handful of teams with a legitimate chance at the 2022 NCAA title. The Wildcats will have plenty of experience in the backcourt, as Justin Moore will join them in the starting lineup."
"The question will be how the team replaces Jeremiah-Robinson Earl down low. Do the Wildcats go small? Is Eric Dixon ready? Are Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree or Nnanna Njoku options? Depth will also be a focus, but not for a lack of options. More so, for how Jay Wright will figure out a rotation that has at least 10 options. Yet, comparatively speaking, these are problems any program wishes they would have, as Villanova’s talent means its Final Four or bust this season."
GRADUATING
Gillespie and Samuels could have graduated, but elected to return for a 5th season.
IN THE DRAFT
Robinson-Earl led the team in scoring, rebounds, steals, and blocks. He was picked by Oklahoma City in the 2nd round of the draft.
TRANSFERRING OUT
RETURNING
Gillespie is the leading returning scorer and led the team in assists. He had a very good 2.9 to 1 A/TO ratio.
Caleb Daniels was a grad transfer from Tulane. He is the only transfer on the roster.
*Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree sat out last season due to injury. His stats are from the 2019-20 season. At 6-9, he is the tallest returning player, but he is a svelte 235 lbs.
Tre Patterson joined the team mid-season and didn't play much. I can't tell if he was injured.
I didn't see much of Villanova last season, so this might be even worse than my usual nonsense.
Villanova only lost one significant player from last year. However, he was their best player and their offense ran through him. It's kind of like Loyola of Chicago losing Krautwig. (I know. You never watched Loyola-Chicago, so that is meaningless to you.) So although they return most of the team, they need to make an adjustment.
They are a mature team, with 4 seniors and 3 juniors in their top 9they have an excellent coaches. They will adjust, however, we catch a break in getting them so early in the season. We return everyone, so we will be a step ahead in putting it together.
Like UCLA, they play a slow tempo, so they will be comfortable playing us.
Overall, this looks like a great matchup. Two well-coached, talented, veteran teams. At home we will probably be favored, but not by a lot.
UPDATE
In their opener, they basically played 6 men, even in a blowout. Dixon, Slater, Samuels, Moore, Gillespie, and Daniels.
Moore, Samuels, Gillespie, and Slater are all terrific wings. Dixon is an undersized center and only adequate. I don't think we miss Riley too much in this game, but defending their wings will be a challenge.
They looked really good against Mount St. Mary's, but it is hard to learn a lot from that level of competition.
They made the NCAA tournament as a #5 seed and beat a #12 and a #13 before losing to Baylor by 10 points.
Kenpom ranked then #12 and #6 in offense, and #66 in defense. By contrast UCLA was ranked #13, #11, #46.
Most predictions see them as one of the top 10 teams in the country next year, with a shot at winning it all. Here is what one writer says:
"When Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels both decided to return for a fifth season, it immediately made Villanova one of a handful of teams with a legitimate chance at the 2022 NCAA title. The Wildcats will have plenty of experience in the backcourt, as Justin Moore will join them in the starting lineup."
"The question will be how the team replaces Jeremiah-Robinson Earl down low. Do the Wildcats go small? Is Eric Dixon ready? Are Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree or Nnanna Njoku options? Depth will also be a focus, but not for a lack of options. More so, for how Jay Wright will figure out a rotation that has at least 10 options. Yet, comparatively speaking, these are problems any program wishes they would have, as Villanova’s talent means its Final Four or bust this season."
GRADUATING
| Player | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
Gillespie and Samuels could have graduated, but elected to return for a 5th season.
IN THE DRAFT
| Player | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Might Return? |
| Jeremiah Robinson-Earl | 35 | 16 | 9 | 2 | No |
Robinson-Earl led the team in scoring, rebounds, steals, and blocks. He was picked by Oklahoma City in the 2nd round of the draft.
TRANSFERRING OUT
| Player | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Destination |
| Cole Swider | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | Syracuse |
RETURNING
| Player | Games | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3-Pt % | Class | Recruiting Stars | Recruiting Rank |
| Collin Gillespie | 20 | 33 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 50% | 38% | Sr 5 | 3 | 200 |
| Justin Moore | 25 | 33 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 43% | 38% | Jr | 4 | 57 |
| Jermaine Samuels | 25 | 30 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 48% | 31% | Sr 5 | 4 | 46 |
| Caleb Daniels | 25 | 26 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 41% | 39% | Sr | Unranked | |
| Brandon Slater | 25 | 17 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 51% | 42% | Sr | 4 | 53 |
| Eric Dixon | 21 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 47% | 25% | So | 4 | 71 |
| Bryan Antoine | 10 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 41% | 39% | Jr | 5 | 17 |
| Chris Arcidiacono | 13 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 25% | 25% | Jr | 3 | 499 |
| Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree * | 29 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 69% | 0% | Sr | 4 | 47 |
| Tre Patterson | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0% | Rs F | 4 | 44 |
Gillespie is the leading returning scorer and led the team in assists. He had a very good 2.9 to 1 A/TO ratio.
Caleb Daniels was a grad transfer from Tulane. He is the only transfer on the roster.
*Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree sat out last season due to injury. His stats are from the 2019-20 season. At 6-9, he is the tallest returning player, but he is a svelte 235 lbs.
Tre Patterson joined the team mid-season and didn't play much. I can't tell if he was injured.
RECRUITS
(#20 class, #5 in Big East)
| Player | Size | Position | Recruiting Stars | Recruiting Rank | Offers |
| Jordan Longino | 6-5 195 | SG | 4 | 51 | Florida, Indiana, Maryland Virginia |
| Nnanna Njoku | 6-9 245 | C | 4 | 93 | Marquette, Miami, Rutgers |
| Angelo Brizzi | 6-3 170 | CG | 3 | 133 | Michigan, Arizona, Colorado, Wake Forest |
TRANSFERRING IN
| Player | Size | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | From | Class | Recruiting Stars | Recruiting Rank |
| None |
Villanova is pretty unusual in bringing in no transfers.
CONCLUSION
I didn't see much of Villanova last season, so this might be even worse than my usual nonsense.
Villanova only lost one significant player from last year. However, he was their best player and their offense ran through him. It's kind of like Loyola of Chicago losing Krautwig. (I know. You never watched Loyola-Chicago, so that is meaningless to you.) So although they return most of the team, they need to make an adjustment.
They are a mature team, with 4 seniors and 3 juniors in their top 9they have an excellent coaches. They will adjust, however, we catch a break in getting them so early in the season. We return everyone, so we will be a step ahead in putting it together.
Like UCLA, they play a slow tempo, so they will be comfortable playing us.
Overall, this looks like a great matchup. Two well-coached, talented, veteran teams. At home we will probably be favored, but not by a lot.
UPDATE
In their opener, they basically played 6 men, even in a blowout. Dixon, Slater, Samuels, Moore, Gillespie, and Daniels.
Moore, Samuels, Gillespie, and Slater are all terrific wings. Dixon is an undersized center and only adequate. I don't think we miss Riley too much in this game, but defending their wings will be a challenge.
They looked really good against Mount St. Mary's, but it is hard to learn a lot from that level of competition.
